Prince Harry was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder by Dr. Gabor Maté during a live-streamed therapy.
On March 4, Prince Harry, 38, had therapy via Zoom with trauma expert Dr. Gabor Maté. For 90 minutes, the Duke of Sussex shared some episodes of his life.
Prince Harry diagnosed by Gabor Maté
The conversation began with Maté analyzing the book ‘Spare’ where Harry has told everything he has experienced within the royal family. The trauma expert, after having read the book, considered that Harry has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In his opinion, rather than a disease, it is “a normal response to stress” and having grown up in an “abnormal environment”.
This condition would have affected all aspects of Harry’s life, including his mental health, the expert said.
What are the symptoms of Prince Harry’s diagnosed condition?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral condition defined by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Symptoms usually appear at an early age and become more noticeable as the child gets older.
- Constant restlessness
- Poor concentration
- Excessive fidgeting or talking
- Acting without thinking
- Little or no sense of danger
- Careless mistakes
- Forgetfulness
- Difficulty organizing tasks
- Inability to listen or carry out instructions
ADHD is also linked to anxiety, depression, insomnia, Tourette syndrome and epilepsy.
Although there is no cure, symptoms can be alleviated with a combination of medication and therapy to facilitate the patient’s daily life.
Prince Harry mental health
Maté suggested that Harry had a childhood “deprived” of affection, to which the duke agreed, since in his memoirs he makes it clear that the lack of physical affection from his father, which never went beyond a touch on the shoulder or knee has affected him.
In the talk, the Prince said he would not want to pass on any “trauma or negative experiences” to his children and that he intended to “smother them with love,” making it clear that it would be very different from how he was raised.
Harry was asked about his parenting style when Gabor mentioned the lack of “closeness” within the royal family, alluding to the way the late Queen Elizabeth greeted Prince Charles, then five, with a handshake every time he returned from a royal tour instead of a hug. The Duke said he was “grateful” that he had changed his environment to allow him to be the father he wanted for Archie and Lilibet.
He said escaping the royal environment meant his children could thrive in a way they would not have if he had remained within the royal family. Gabor disagreed with him, though.
Harry always felt “different”
Meghan Markle’s husband admitted that he always felt “different” from everyone else in the Royal Family, something he believed his late mother felt as well. In fact, he explained that the moment he wanted to broaden his horizons, he always got the message that he should return to the fold and do what was expected of him.
Prince Harry and drugs
In the talk, Maté talked about how people use drugs to deal with problems in their lives, then asked Harry about the reasons that motivated him to use them.
Regarding cocaine, Harry explained that he didn’t do it for him, that it was more of a social thing. He stated that cocaine was a drug that gave him confidence and made him feel different.
Regarding alcohol, Harry stated that it was also a “social thing” and complained about the social pressure around drinking.
He made special mention of marijuana, which, in his words, helped him a lot.
“Marijuana is different, this one really helped me a lot,” said the youngest son of King Charles.
He added that the use of psychedelics such as ayahuasca removed all filters from his life.
“It took everything away and brought me a sense of relaxation, liberation, comfort, a lightness that I managed to maintain for a period of time,” he said.
“My wife saved me”
Who has also generated a positive effect on Prince Harry has been Meghan Markle.
“My wife saved me, I was trapped in this world and she was from a different world. She helped me out of it. My partner is an exceptional human being and I’m grateful for the space she’s given me,” Harry confessed.
Harry and Meghan unlikely to attend the coronation
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s representative confirmed that they have received an invitation to King Charles’ coronation, but it seems unlikely that they will attend the historic event.
King Charles sent his son to vacate Frogmore Cottage, Harry for his part continues to reiterate his revelations embodied in ‘Spare’, implying that there is little contact between him and his family.